LOOKING AHEAD THIS WEEK
Managing Florida’s growth
Lee Constantine,
Prior to 2010, Florida was known as a state that had the legislation and tools in place to manage growth. In 2011, under the guise of promoting economic development, Gov. Rick Scott eliminated the Department of Community Affairs and put growth-management issues under the Department of Economic Opportunity. Since then, this agency has commented on less than 7 percent of the land-use changes they received for review. What a joke! Our economy is based upon Florida’s quality of life. Sprawl, crowded schools, congested roads and polluted waters are harming our economic future. With 1,000 new people a day, 3 million since 2011, Florida must again have a statewide planning agency for managing growth. The alternative is frightening.
Effects of China’s plastic ban
David Leavitt,
A few years ago, Chinese President Xi announced that China would no longer be the world’s garbage dump. Until last summer, two-thirds of the world’s plastic waste went to China for recycling. China banned plastic waste in 2018 because, among other reasons, recyclers in the west and China could not clean up their acts. One result of the Chinese plastic ban is municipalities all across America struggling with their residential recycling programs. You may live in a community no longer requiring separating your trash — and now you know why. Other municipalities will follow when their residential waste contracts expire.
Venezuela’s impact on state
Khalid Muneer,
In the coming weeks, the political turmoil in Venezuela should be nearing an end as hopefully the main players will reach a power-sharing deal and end the stalemate. The situation in Venezuela has a direct impact on Florida through its economy and is likely to benefit the most if new government is in place and starts revamping the economy through massive imports of wide range of goods to alleviate the hardships of its people.
Space Force and Florida
Muhammad Musri,
President Trump loves tweeting his announcements, so after he signed Space Policy Directive 4 last week to create a Space Force, Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a tweet, asked the president to place the headquarters of the Space Force Combatant Command in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center. The governor argued that space is part of Florida’s storied history, but that is a scientific and commercial space, except for military satellites, and that is very good for the state economy and for creating good-paying jobs. Militarizing KSC and making Central Florida a primary target for future space war is a scary idea.
Orlando-style Mardi Gras
Pamela Nabors,
Mardi Gras in New Orleans kicked off in January, really gets rolling in February, and ends on March 5, otherwise known as Fat Tuesday. But if you really want to celebrate the holiday, why not do so Orlando-style, where we get two full months of nightly parades, outrageous street performers, colorful costumes and beads, beads, glorious beads … at our own Universal Studios. Add to that great concerts, Cajun cookin’ and other festivities, and who needs the bayou? Well, as they say in the Big Easy, “Laissez les bons temps rouler! — Let the good times roll!”
Alterity Chamber Orchestra show
Cole NeSmith,
There are lots of creative people working to make Orlando a wonderful place to live and visit. One of those people is Chris Belt, the executive director of the Timucua Arts Foundation. Part of his work there includes leading the Alterity Chamber Orchestra. This group focuses on presenting new, contemporary classical works. Their first show of 2019 happens Thursday at 7:30 at The Abbey in Downtown. Belt is the ringmaster for a band of innovative Central Florida musicians, passionate about bringing meaningful new works to the community.
Role of autonomous vehicles
Rick Singh,
Look to the Lake Nona area for the latest in transportation innovations — but don’t try to tip the driver because there isn’t one. It’s true … two small, driverless buses will begin operating as shuttles sometime this spring. Carrying 15 passengers and traveling at 16 miles per hour, it’s suggested that these vehicles are safe because they don’t have drivers that can be distracted or are unsure about directions. I see a big advantage to these for our region in locations like downtown Orlando and in corridors congested by visitors. Autonomous vehicles can play an important role in Orange County’s transportation infrastructure.